The J.C. Penney statue that the City of Kemmerer was gifted will soon be erected at the the southwest corner of Triangle Park. That was the unanimous decision by the Kemmerer City Council at their regular meeting Monday, May 10. That would put the statue at the corner of Pine Avenue and South Main Street.

Kemmerer City Administrator Brian Muir says the city already has the necessary donated funds to pay for the concrete needed to put up the 15 foot statue of J.C. Penney that was donated to the city by the J.C. Penney Company. Muir says the city has already received $9500, and has been pledged several hundred dollars more.

Kemmerer Mayor Bill Thek said he had originally advocated for putting the statue on the J.C. Penney house property, but sees the advantages of erecting it at the southeast corner of the city’s central triangularly shaped park.

Muir says the city is planning to have the statue in place by Fossilfest, which takes place June 18 and 19. He says J.C. Penney company officials and Penney family members are expected to attend the dedication.

J.C. Penney opened his first store in Kemmerer in 1902.

In other business, the council heard from Canyon Elementary principal Brad Meyer who requested that free library exchange boxes be put up in town. Books could be picked up at these locations for free and then be returned when they are done reading them. Meyer asked the council for permission to put up two boxes in Kemmerer to start with. One would be near Canyon Elementary, and the other on city property near Antelope ridge. He said that he would oversee the building and maintenance of the boxes. The city council gave its unanimous approval.

The city council also authorized the city staff to apply for a $2500 grant for an airport Fly-in. Muir explained that the Fly-in, jointly sponsored by the Joint Powers Board, Lincoln County, and the City of Kemmerer would take place in September. He said aircraft would be flown into the Kemmerer Airport from all around the area. They city would host a car show at the same time. A pancake breakfast would also be served. Mayor Thek said this event would introduce people to the Kemmerer airport. The exact date of the Fly-in in September and who would take part has not yet been decided.

Lastly, Muir said the city council would hold a budget work session this Thursday evening from five to nine.